Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ — Residents looking for a good place to observe the Solar Eclipse on Monday, August 21 are invited to do so at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Trailside is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

An eclipse happens as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun as seen from our location on the surface of the earth. When this happens, the Moon blocks the light of the Sun from reaching Earth. This will be the first eclipse to cross the entire continental United States in almost a century.

Members of the Amateur Astronomers, Inc. will be on hand for the viewing. The organization was founded in 1949 to promote an interest in the science of astronomy through activities and programs. 

“For those who don’t want to miss the Great American Eclipse, Trailside Nature and Science Center is the perfect venue to watch the skies and be part of this exciting event which is a once in a lifetime occurrence,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Looking directly at the sun is dangerous, so those planning to observe the solar eclipse should obtain a pair of solar viewing glasses before viewing.

Those in attendance should also bring along a chair or a blanket to partake in what will be one of the greatest astronomical moments in our lifetime.

Here in New Jersey the eclipse will reach about 77 percent.

More information on the solar eclipse, including guidance on eye protection, is available on the County website at ucnj.org/eclipse.

In case of inclement weather on the day of the eclipse call Trailside at 908-789-3670.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – All business owners and managers in Union County are invited to attend the 2017 Union County Means Business Expo, coming up on Tuesday, September 12 at the new Warinanco Park Sports Center in Roselle, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“The new Sports Center is a stunning, modern space that provides the perfect backdrop for showcasing the products, services and skills offered by our local business community,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you own or manage a business in Union County, I encourage you to participate and network with stakeholders and decision makers.”

The Expo is designed to help capture more contacts, develop new leads and enable local businesses grow.

Registration is available online at ucnj.org/union-county-means-business/expo. Admission for attendees is free.

Vendors and exhibitors tables are available for a fee of $100.00 and must be registered by September 5^th. The Expo also offers a complimentary food tasting featuring the event menu available at the Warinanco Sports Center.

Union County Means Business is an economic development initiative of the Freeholder Board with the support of community partners including the New Jersey Small Business Development Center, the Union County Economic Development Corporation, the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, the Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, Union County College, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Cranford Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about Union County Means Business visit ucnj.org/ucmb or contact Deana Mesaros at 908-659-7412 or dmesaros@ucnj.org

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – Law enforcement will be monitoring traffic in the area of the Springfield Avenue Bridge over Snyder Brook in Berkeley Heights over the next several weeks in order to ensure that motorists adhere to detour signs during reconstruction of the bridge.

Motorists, especially those using GIS systems, are urged to pay strict attention to the detour instructions given on the road signs. GIS systems may not include accurate, up to date information on the required detour routes.

The detour routes were selected to enable traffic to flow as smoothly as possible while protecting local neighborhoods from traffic hazards.

Unauthorized detours are subject to penalty.

Work on the bridge began in July, necessitating the closure of Springfield Avenue between Snyder Avenue and Kuntz Avenue in Berkeley Heights.

The bridge reconstruction is a Union County project. Division of Engineering personnel are on the site daily with the consulting engineer to report progress.

The work is on schedule and the bridge will be open to vehicular traffic on or about October 1.

Additional work on sidewalks and other elements of the bridge will continue through October and November and may result in adjustments to traffic patterns. Motorists should continue to be alert for road signs with travel instructions until the project is fully completed.

Full completion of the project is expected in December.

To view the authorized detour routes, and to get updates on other Union County road and bridge projects, visit the interactive map at ucnj.org/traffic.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – There is no summer vacation for phone fraud, and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders advises Union County residents to be aware of a new scam circulating around the country.

“The Social Security Administration has issued a warning about a caller who poses as an employee in order to extract social security numbers and other personal information,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “There is one simple way to guard against becoming a victim: never give out personal information, unless the caller’s identity and place of work can be verified.”

According to the Social Security Administration, when its employees make contact by phone it is mainly for customer service purposes, not to request personal information.

Social Security employees may ask for confirmation of personal information only in rare instances. Residents can easily verify if the call is legitimate by contacting the Social Security customer service office toll free at 800-772-1213. Residents using TTY can call 800-325-0778.

The wave of fraudulent phone calls surfaced earlier this summer. It involves a caller who claims to be a Social Security employee, and asks the victim to verify all of their personal information including their name, date of birth, Social Security number and parents’ names.

Sometimes the caller claims to need the information to process a cost of living increase for the victim.

“Residents who receive a call like this or any other suspicious call from someone who claims to be a Social Security employee should report the caller to the Social Security Administration,” said Bergen. “Suspicious emails, letters and text messages should also be reported promptly.”

Residents can also use their cell phones, or Caller ID on their land lines, to screen numbers that are unfamiliar.

Suspected Social Security fraud can be reported to the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration at 800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.

To report other types of fraud in Union County, residents can use the Union County Office of Consumer Affairs 24/7 online reporting service at ucnj.org/public-safety or call 908-654-9840 during regular business hours.

To help protect themselves against property and mortgage scams, property owners can sign up for an alert system at propertyfraudalert.com. More information about this service is available from the office of Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi at ucnj.org/county-clerk, or call the County Clerk at 908-527-4787.

For general information on protecting against fraud, especially scams targeting seniors, visit FightingFraud.nj.gov.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County Sheriff Joe Cryan congratulates the graduates of the 2017 Union County Sheriff’s Youth Police Academy during a ceremony at the Rahway High School Performing Arts Center. Seventy-five middle and high school students from throughout Union County graduated this year’s program.

Recruits in the youth academy received hands-on experience in a wide variety of emergency services and law enforcement functions and training. During the program, the teens engaged in physical training, attended lectures and through class trips and visits by guest speakers, the recruits met with representatives from several law enforcement agencies.

Sheriff Cryan also thanks the instructors and the law enforcement agencies who were involving in make the 10^th Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy a success.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series continues at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday evening, August 16, featuring Black Dog. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Black Dog pays tribute to Led Zeppelin with an extensive catalogue of songs comprised of classic masterpieces like “Dazed and Confused”, Heartbreaker”, and “Stairway to Heaven”, as well as the less heard B-sides to satisfy the more discerning fans. The band has been playing together since early 2000.

The show is free, and visitors are urged to pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from Café Gallo and the Good Humor Man. 

As always the Union County Get Fit Yoga program will precede the concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in the healthy activities for the entire family. Conducting the yoga program on August 16 will be Heads & Tails Yoga of Clark.

“There are only a couple of more Wednesday’s to enjoy the great musical entertainment in beautiful Oak Ridge Park, so gather your family and friends and spend an evening in the park,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series wraps up on August 23^rd with a tribute to Billy Joel, performed by New York State of Mind at Oak Ridge Park.

The Special Meeting of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 10, has been canceled. The Agenda Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 10 will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Union County, NJ – Union County Surrogate James LaCorte cautioned residents to avoid online companies that charge fees of up to $250 to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

“An EIN must be ordered directly from the Internal Revenue Service, and there is no fee,” said Surrogate LaCorte. “I am issuing this warning because it has come to my attention that there are some services advertising on line that they will acquire EIN numbers for you. Some of these unscrupulous operations are charging as much as $250.00 for this ‘service,’ which the IRS provides for free.”

LaCorte urged residents to be vigilant when ordering an EIN online.

“When you look up EIN on line, the responses that include a small ‘Ad’ box are businesses, and you will be charged a fee,” said LaCorte. “If you go into one of those sites, you will see a fee attached to the submission with the application, which is another indication that it is a business and not the IRS. Take your time in analyzing each website and make certain that when you apply it is directly with the IRS.”

Residents who are applying for an EIN online must visit the official IRS website, irs.gov, and go to the page titled, “Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online.”

The full web address for the EIN page is: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

“I am always concerned when the Public is taken advantage of, especially with incidents like this,” said LaCorte. “If you have any concerns please call my office at 908-527-4280.”

LaCorte encouraged residents to inform themselves on the estate process.

“On the Surrogate’s web site under ‘Surrogate Brochures’ you will find a useful brochure on Gathering and Distributing the Assets of the Estate,” he said. “It will explain about EIN numbers, L-8’s & L-9’s, Tax Waivers and information to connect with the State of New Jersey Treasurer and Taxation Division for important information regarding filing taxes and inheritance tax.”

To download the brochure visit ucnj.org/surrogate/surrogates-brochures.

For information on all Union County Surrogate programs visit online at ucnj.org/surrogate or call 908-527-4280.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi urges college and university students to apply now to for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, before leaving for school.

“Mail sent to out of state locations, especially colleges and universities, can sometimes be delayed,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “The best way to ensure that you receive your Vote-by-Mail ballot on time is to apply for your ballot now, before you leave for school.”

Any person registered to vote in New Jersey can use a Vote-by-Mail ballot, for any reason.

“Vote-by-Mail application forms are available online now at the Elections website, unioncountyvotes.com,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Voters can also call my office at 908-527-4996 to request an application by mail, and they can pick one up in person from my Main or Annex offices.”

The County Clerk’s Main Office is located in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. The Annex Office is located at the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

Voters who apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot now will receive their ballot in late September, after their application is approved and the ballots are printed.

The County Clerk provides postage free of charge for voters who are mailing their Vote-by-Mail ballots from out of state.

Election Day 2017 is Tuesday, November 7.

“Exercising the right to vote is always important, and in this election cycle New Jersey voters will decide on a new Governor for the first time in eight years,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Make sure your vote is counted by applying for a Vote-by-Mail ballot now.”

For more details about Vote-by-Mail visit unioncountyvotes.com or call the County Clerk Elections Division, 908-527-4996.

Information on all other County Clerk services including land records and passports is available online at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

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Union County, NJ — Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi encourages disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients to contact the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission for information about a new statewide parking program. Under the new program, these veterans can obtain a vehicle placard that exempts them from parking fees at any municipal meter in New Jersey. The vehicle must be owned by the veteran, and it can only be used when the veteran is in the car as a driver or passenger.

Ms. Rajoppi also reminded residents that her office provides free veteran’s identification cards and free copies of DD-214 honorable discharge forms, and assists veterans in applying for peddler licenses free of charge.

“The free ID cards and DD-214 copies are intended to help veterans gain access to discounts and important benefits as quickly and conveniently as possible,” explained Ms. Rajoppi. “We also offer assistance with the peddler license application process for veterans who are starting their own businesses in the vending field.”

As an additional service for veterans, the County Clerk website includes an online Veterans Discount Directory of businesses in Union County that offer discounts for veterans.

For full details on veterans services offered by the Union County Clerk, or to list a business in the County Clerk’s Veterans Discount Directory, visit the County Clerk online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call at 908-527-4787.

More information about veteran’s services and resources in Union County is available through the Union County HERO initiative at ucnj.org/uc-hero.

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Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

Connect with Union County on social media.